Nine representatives from local nonprofits have been selected for Docs In Progress' 2016 Nonprofit Video Workshop. They will gain valuable hands-on skills in video production and editing with the goal of strengthening their communications capacity.

As a nonprofit ourselves, Docs In Progress knows how important it is for nonprofits to tell the story of what they do, who they serve, and what difference they make in the community through the power of video. Yet too many nonprofits struggle with using video at all or using it effectively. Since 2012, we have worked to build the capacity of DC-area nonprofits through professional development seminars and workshops on best practices in nonprofit video.

This week, we are pleased to welcome representatives from nine nonprofits into our 2016 Hands-on Nonprofit Video Workshop. Selected through a competitive application process, these nonprofit leaders will have an opportunity to learn how to produce short documentary-style videos about nonprofits. This will strengthen their skills and understanding of what goes into making impactful videos, whether they intend to make them in-house or work more effectively with professional video producers.

The workshop will be taught by Sam Hampton, co-founder of Docs In Progress. Dr. Hampton is not only an experienced documentary filmmaker, he also has more than 30 years of experience working for and with nonprofits, academic institutions, and state government agencies in the areas of education, social services, the arts, and bridging the digital divide. 

This program is made possible through support of the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Meet the 2016 Nonprofit Video Workshop Participants

Regina Davis Moss is Associate Executive Director of the American Public Health Association. APHA is a non-partisan professional membership association that champions the health of all people and all communities. They strengthen the public health profession, speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science, and brings together leaders from all fields of public health. 

James Modrick is Executive Director of Artivate. Founded in response to the demand for high quality, ethnically diverse cultural arts programs in schools, Artivate bring the arts to people where they are, reaching hundreds of thousands of participants throughout the DC Metro Area each year with performances and workshops in schools, hospitals, libraries, museums, detention centers, recreation centers, and senior centers.

Maggie Switzer is Farmers Market Incentives Development Associate of the Crossroads Community Food Network. Crossroads works to bolster the local food system through programs that support and unite those who grow, make, and eat fresh, healthy food. At the heart of this integrated network of food growers, makers, and consumers is Crossroads Farmers Market in Maryland’s Takoma/Langley Crossroads, where Fresh Checks make healthy food more affordable.

Milinda Balthrop is the President and Founder of the Filmmakers for Tomorrow Foundation. FFTF's mission is to encourage and support diverse artistic and cinematic expression of American life among young filmmakers ages 16-25 through a grant program and youth-oriented projects that reflect the diversity of the Washington, DC metro area community.  

Michael Rubin is Managing Director of IMPACT Silver Spring. IMPACT builds community-based networks and diverse community “spaces” where people and organizations can cross lines of difference, increase and strengthen social connections, bring forward their gifts, and take action collaboratively. Core activities take place in the traditionally underserved Montgomery County communities in Long Branch and Wheaton.

Wendy Jason is Intergenerational Program Coordinator for Mi Casa, a nonprofit affordable housing developer committed to providing quality affordable housing to low and moderate income households in the Washington DC area. Mi Casa's newest initiative, Genesis, is a small, intergenerational community consisting of affordable apartments for seniors, young mothers transitioning out of foster care and their children, and other families.

Alanna Sobel is Senior Communications Manager for the National Park Foundation. The official charitable partner of the National Park Service, the Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts; connect people from all backgrounds with incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history; and inspire the next generation of park stewards.

Lisette Ortiz is Community Engagement Coordinator for Nonprofit Village. Montgomery County’s first and only multi-tenant nonprofit center, Nonprofit Village is the leading shared space for nonprofits in the region. It offers space to local, national, and international nonprofits with amenities such as conference rooms, back office operations, and training that allows tenant members to grow by reducing essential operating and administrative costs. 

Carolyn Butler is Communications Officer for the Solidarity Center. An allied organization of the AFL-CIO, the Solidarity Center promotes the rights of workers around the world as they defend their right to freedom of association. Staff work in 60 countries to provide training and technical expertise to labor unions, NGOs, legal-aid groups, human rights organizations, women's associations, and worker advocacy coalitions.

To see some samples of past videos produced in this workshop, visit our YouTube page.